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Filipino food influencers are being impersonated in AI-generated scam videos circulating on Facebook, with false endorsements of a premium cooking pan targeting unsuspecting consumers.
The deceptive videos, which first appeared in late January, show popular Filipino culinary personalities Vanjo Merano of “Panlasang Pinoy,” Mark Joseph “Marky” Bartolome, and Chef Tatung Sarthou supposedly endorsing a “316L German non-stick pan” at a deeply discounted price.
At least 18 fake video reels lasting between 60 seconds and two minutes use a similar template, showing the chefs cooking with the pan. The videos feature AI-generated voiceovers mimicking the chefs, claiming: “One of my biggest secrets for consistent delicious cooking is the premium 316L German non-stick pan. We have a huge promo with 80% off for this large non-stick pan. The original price was 4,000 pesos, but now, it’s only 679 pesos per piece.”
The fraudulent posts include links directing users to websites that harvest personal information from unsuspecting visitors. Close inspection reveals telltale signs of AI manipulation, including mismatched lip movements and unnatural voice patterns.
All three chefs have publicly disavowed the videos. On March 7, Merano, who boasts 11 million followers, posted a warning on his official Facebook page denying any connection to the pan promotion. He emphasized that the trust he has built with his audience over the years is something he values and must protect.
“Not at all. All fake. Sadly, we can’t control it,” Sarthou told fact-checkers when asked if he endorsed the cookware.
Bartolome responded with characteristic humor: “You might see an AI-generated video of me endorsing this wok. DO NOT BELIEVE IT. First of all, I am not that thin, and second, my skin is not that smooth!”
Technical analysis by Hive Moderation confirmed the fraudulent nature of the content, showing a 97.6% likelihood that Merano’s videos were AI-generated, while Bartolome’s reels showed a 67.6% probability of containing deepfake elements. Images of Sarthou were deemed 99.4% likely to be artificially created.
This scam represents a growing trend in social media fraud where AI technology is weaponized to exploit the credibility of public figures. The videos are being shared across four Facebook pages created between April and December 2025: “Non-stick Pan Philippines,” “Non-stick Pan Product PH,” “Kusina Pinoy Store,” and “Marvin’s Food PH.”
The fake endorsement videos have collectively garnered more than 3,130 reactions, 793 comments, and 46 shares since January, indicating their potential reach to thousands of vulnerable consumers.
This isn’t the first instance of such deception. Fact-checkers previously debunked similar fraudulent advertisements for “honeycomb pans” using the likeness of actor Marvin Agustin in August 2025.
The proliferation of these sophisticated AI-generated scams presents a growing challenge for content creators, platforms, and consumers alike. Both Merano and Bartolome have expressed support for fact-checking efforts to remove the fabricated content that damages their reputation, and they encourage their followers to report imposter pages when encountered.
As AI technology becomes more accessible and sophisticated, distinguishing between authentic content and manipulated media will require increased vigilance from both platforms and users to protect consumers from fraudulent schemes exploiting trusted personalities.
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12 Comments
This is a concerning case of misuse of influencer marketing and AI manipulation. It’s important to be vigilant about online endorsements and verify the legitimacy of any promoted products. I appreciate the detailed fact-checking to expose this scam.
Absolutely, these kinds of deceptive practices erode trust in online content. Glad to see the chefs have disavowed the false endorsements.
It’s disheartening to see popular food influencers being exploited in this way. The fact that the videos use AI-generated content to mimic the chefs’ voices and appearances is a real cause for concern. I hope the chefs are able to take legal action against the perpetrators.
Agreed, the misuse of AI in this scam is particularly worrying. Consumers need to be extremely careful about believing any online endorsements, especially for products with suspiciously low prices.
Impersonating popular food personalities to push a sketchy product is a new low. Kudos to the investigators for catching this scam. Consumers need to be really careful about believing influencer endorsements, especially for dubious offers.
Agreed, it’s a stark reminder that we can’t always take online endorsements at face value. Fact-checking and scrutiny are crucial.
What a brazen attempt to exploit unsuspecting consumers. The use of AI to fake the chefs’ voices and appearances is particularly alarming. I hope the authorities can track down the perpetrators and put a stop to this scam.
Absolutely, the technology behind this fraud is quite sophisticated. Protecting consumers from these kinds of deceptive practices should be a top priority.
Shameful to see these popular Filipino chefs being exploited in this way. The use of AI to create fake endorsements is a worrying development that undermines trust in online content. I hope the perpetrators are swiftly identified and held accountable.
Agreed, this is a troubling case that highlights the need for greater regulation and consumer awareness around influencer marketing and online scams. Fact-checking and critical thinking are essential.
This is a classic case of influencer fraud, but the use of AI to create fake endorsements takes it to a whole new level. I’m glad the chefs have spoken out and the authorities are investigating. Consumers need to be vigilant and do their own research before falling for these kinds of offers.
Absolutely, the fake endorsements and discounted pricing are clear red flags. It’s crucial that people verify the legitimacy of any promoted products, especially when they seem too good to be true.